Friday, April 27, 2012

April Platform Challenge: Day 27

Okay, I know I'm not going to make any friends with today's task, but I have to do it. More importantly, you have to do it. That is, you need to push out of that comfort zone (for at least the month of April, which is now nearly over).

Don't close the door on new social media sites.

For today's task, join one new social media site. I will leave it up to you to decide which new social media site it will be. Maybe Pinterest (the surging dynamo) or possibly Goodreads (popular with writers who love to read--aka, the best kind) or even RedRoom (another popular site for authors).

If you're already signed up on all three of those sites, then heck, I'll give you a free pass today--unless there's a new site you've been meaning to check out (and there probably is if you're already a member of so many social media sites). It's my gift to you for being so proactively experimental.

To everyone who doesn't want another site to join...

I understand your frustration and exhaustion. During a normal month, I'd never suggest someone sign up for so many social media sites in such a short period of time, but this isn't a normal month. We're in the midst of a challenge!

And no, I don't expect you to spend a lot of time on every social media site you join. That's not always the point when you first sign up. No, you sign up to poke around and see if the site interests you at all. See if you have any natural connections. Try mingling a little bit.

If the site doesn't appeal to you, feel free to let it be for a while. Let me share a story with you.

How I Came to Rock Facebook and Twitter

My Facebook and Twitter accounts both boast more than 5,000 followers (or friends/subscribers) today. But both accounts were originally created and abandoned, because they just weren't right for me at the time that I signed up.

For Facebook, I just didn't understand why I would abandon a perfectly good MySpace account to play around on a site that didn't feature the same level of music and personal blogging that MySpace did. But then, MySpace turned into Spam-opolis, and the rest is history.

For Twitter, I just didn't get the whole Tweet concept, because Facebook already had status updates. Why Tweet when I could update my status on Facebook?

But I've gained a lot professionally and personally from Facebook and Twitter--even though they weren't the right sites for me initially. In fact, Google+ is sort of in that area for me right now. I don't use it near enough, but I started an account, because it just feels like a place that will explode sooner or later. It's not like Facebook is going to be around forever.

The Importance of Experimentation

Or as I prefer to think of it: The importance of play. You should constantly try new things, whether in your writing, your social media networks, or the places you eat food. Not only does it make life more exciting and provide you with new experiences and perspective, but it also helps make you a more well-rounded human being.

So don't complain about joining a new social media site. Instead, embrace the excuse to try something new, especially when there are only three more tasks left this month (and I promise no more new sites after today).

*****

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82 comments:

OK, Robert, you're off the hook for today. I count Pinterest as my additional site, as I joined it some time ago. And it ROCKS! I know there are a lot of haters out there, but to me it's like the only one I'm on that I'm on for ME, not b/c I have some ulterior motive for world domination. I pin stuff b/c it makes me feel like I'm 13 again, making collages from my favorite magazines. And it lets me dream of how beautiful my garden could be, how elegant my parties could be, how tasty my food could be IF ONLY....I love it!

I'm feeling kind towards you now, Robert, instead of the usual morning hatred. So you go and have a wonderful day now....

Oh, Robert. You are testing me today! I don't think I can do this one. At least, not today. I don't dispute your sound arguments--and they're beginning to persuade me--but, just as I continue to #resistpinterest, I'm going to resist today's challenge. For now. Not done!

I'm on Pinterest! May have to sneak over and check out Redroom still. I realized I hadn't been commenting to say my tasks were done, but I'm excited to say I got offered a guest blog from a non-platform member without them knowing I needed to do one! Very excited! Thanks, Robert, for forcing my hand. I sure hope it continues to pay off! I'm looking forward to a summer off where I can focus on doing more with all these tools.

I just joined Goodreads. I am excited about it, even though earlier this month I didn't think I would want to join another site. I have several shelves of books at home and at work(classroom) and I'm always looking for more.

I was already on Goodreads, which I love and at this point in time I have not interest in Pinterest so I signed up for Red Room. I had heard of it before but had not explored it. Any site where authors gather sounds like somewhere I want to be so I was glad to sign up. Thanks for the idea.

Already on Pinteresthttp://pinterest.com/alvaradofrazier/ I really like it for writing inspiration and storyboards. On Redroom too, but honestly don't keep up with it. Sometimes I get over to Goodreads about once a quarter, after I've read 3 or 4 books.

Okay, okay, I have an invitation to Pinterest sitting in my in-box that I've been "ignoring." I will go ahead and join. Maybe I can use it for my pinning pictures of the world I'm creating in my novel.

How funny, Muddy, I had that same thought about Red Room reminding me of The Shining!! I will still check it out and Good Reads, too. Oh ... and even a new restaurant! (After my GM Diet is over on Sunday.) :-D

I have a Pinterest account, but I think I'll give Goodreads a try. I read an interesting article on Writer Unboxed about how it helps to connect with people outside the "regular" circles, something I've been thinking a lot about. I just haven't gotten to it yet, so today is a perfect day!

I went to Red Room, grumbling all the way, and I joined. I like what I see. There will be a learning curve there, I think, but I'm looking forward to exploring.

I like Goodreads, but I tend to neglect posting the books I read, although it's nice to share lists with friends. One of my sons posts frequently and often writes reviews. It's good to post your reviews; if you make them accessible, you may find that people read and "like" them.

Thanks, Robert, for the push. Once the challenge is over, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep up with all of these activities and get any writing done, but I do feel much more knowledgeable than when we started.

I tried to talk myself into signing up for RedRoom (I have zero interest in Pintrest, I looked into it a few months ago when my friend Beth first started using it), but I can't do it. I already use five social media websites (Twitter, Facebook, Google Plus, Goodreads and Live Journal) and I think that's plenty. If I signed up for another one I wouldn't use it, and I'd be doing it just to complete today's challenge, so... yeah, I'll have to bow out on this one.

Thanks for the heads up about the MNINB group on Good Reads - will look for it. I'm on Good Reads (will look for new friends) and just started Pinterest (help, please). I will look at Red Room (or Google +, which I skipped earlier - *gasp*)

Okay. Your words were defensive in advance, so I'll chill. I have a half-hearted Good Reads site and a totally nekkid Pinterest site, so I hope that resurrecting the two will count. I'll even go for the Red Room.

@Anne Kimball: That is a good way to look at Pinterest -- for myself.. but can I still dream of world domination?

I'm already on Pinterest, Goodreads, Ravelry (for knitters and crocheters - hey it links to my blog! i'll take followers from anywhere) and Flickr. I think that's enough without Redroom. Though, I'll do that when I have more content...

A discussion about Pinterest in the SCBWI group on LinkedIn persuaded me that my concerns about it were groundless, so your task today sent me over there. I have requested an invitation, and am patiently waiting for that to come through.

I hope to be able to use it to forward my arts-for-kids advocacy, rather than for my writing.

Thanks for the kick in the pants, Robert, although I admit it was the comments on the SCBWI question thread that changed my mind about trying it. (But I'm on LinkedIn because of the challenge, and I took the plunge to start the ball rolling on Pinterest because of the challenge, so it's all good.)

I already signed up with GoodReads This task is not so bad. As long as it doesn't take too much time, I won't complain. You already got me used to signing up for things that I do it without arguing now. :o)so now it's Red Room for me. Sounds intriguing. I'm pending approval from them.

Just a note: I signed up with pinterest about a month ago. I didn't realize I had to be "approved" too? I haven't heard back. I thought you just signed up like Twitter and Facebook and you're in. Hmmm....

Done! I am now a member of Goodreads, and I've applied to join their "Goodreads Author" program so I can manage the book and profile info for my two published books.

My url over there is: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9106814-patrick-walsh

Might I also recommend Shelfari (www.shelfari.com) to everyone? I've found it to be a fun site for interacting with other readers, and a good place to find out about reading habits and interests, as well as details about how people are reacting to particular books.

As for the whole idea of joining another social networking site, I'm in favor of at least exploring what different sites have to offer. As you point out, the usefulness of a given site will likely ebb and flow with the progression of my own interests and career arc.

Done - I joined Goodreads. What a time sink! - but hopefully just for getting started. I know Pinterest would be even worse; I'm so easily distracted. (Although whatnotshop, pinning pics for my novel is a tempting idea...)

Oh, Robert, you rascal! Do you know what you've done? I signed up for Red Room, alright ... and then I started poking around on my blog and other pages, and wound up signing up for HootSuite and SocialOomph, and a couple other sites just to see how they work!

I was going to get around to Goodreads sometime this weekend so you're prodding just got me there sooner. I'm just glad you didn't say we had to sign up for Pinterest. It would be too seductive for my addictive personality.

Thanks for the prod. This challenge has really opened new vistas for me and put the creative spark back into some of my ideas.

Pinterest doesn't interest me, so i checked out Goodreads. It offered to suggest books I might like - since Amazon is already driving me so crazy doing this that I wish I'd never ordered books from them, I decided to give Goodreads a pass. That left Red Room. So I opened an account. It looks cool - clubs and discussions and promo advice and if I want to pay the steep price of an Author page, publicity and sales.What really amazed me was how much easier it has become to analyze and sign up for and use new social media sites over this month. When I started, I had to have my daughter help me with Twitter and Wopdpress - now, i can't imagine what I needed help with! Thanks NotBob!!

Thx for making me relook at GoodReads. I didn't realize that when I joined in November, I didn't bother to fill out a profile. Done.Also for bonus points. SheWrites, RedRoom, & Pininterest. The last one I'm 1/2 hearted about...and they must know it, b/c they waitlisted me! Already in at RedRoom. What a kick!

Done. I joined Pinterest awhile back, but have been adding to it throughout this month. I really like it now, although you have to have 10-20 things pinned before it starts to really reveal something enjoyable. I have boards for writing projects, travel, design... I like it. I joined Red Room in the past month or so, as well as SoulPancake and Figment, which are both worksharing sites for writers. Joined, but have not yet played around enough to know how much I value them. Last, I have had a Goodreads acct in my business name for years, but just added one for Elissa Field, the name I use for fiction and all this social media. Slowly, I'll get my reading lists converted over. I have had some people here connect with me through Pin & Goodreads - I welcome it!

I signed up with Goodreads a while ago and then decided not to do anything with it. Until...they sent an invitation to join Anna Quindlen in a video chat last week. Fascinating, and a nice encore to her interview that aired on NPR days earlier. I guess I like Goodreads now.

Done! I'm already on Red Room although I need to check it out more thoroughly. But I joined Goodreads because so many MNINB peeps were inviting me via Facebook. I'm glad I joined. It's a pretty cool site!

I did it! I joined Pinterest just because I have friends who are on there. Turns out I have 148 friends there from Facebook. I also added Tumblr, Goodreads and Red Room to my master to-do list. Thanks again, as always!